Braxton Miller is everything to the 2014 Ohio State Buckeyes, and after 17 preseason practices, with 12 days until the season-opener, he's still not completely free to let his right shoulder rip.

Asked to address fans who might be a bit worried about their quarterback, Miller was relaxed as every Monday morning, between Ohio State's two-a-day practices.

"I'm doing fine," Miller said. "It's just a progression in my shoulder, just a precaution. I don't want to overdo it before the first game and then I've got to sit out the first game because my muscle is too sore back in the back. It's part of the plan. We just talk about it every day and I do exercises to get the strength back up. I'll be good."

Monday was just the second time Miller spoke to reporters since preseason camp started on Aug. 4, and every update matters as the clock ticks down on the OSU opener against Navy in Baltimore on Aug. 30. Urban Meyer and offensive coordinator Tom Herman are questioned about Miller constantly. But it's different to hear the quarterback say how he feels.

Right now, it's just muscle soreness, Miller said. He did throw this summer after being cleared in early July, but he only threw every other day, with rest in between. And he didn't throw like he's throwing now. That's why he continues to be rested at times. For instance, he didn't throw much Monday morning but was scheduled to do more Monday afternoon, when Herman said they'd get a better read on how the shoulder is doing. And Miller has missed both Saturday scrimmages on the first two camp weekends.

Miller downplayed the scrimmages, saying he's been part of the four scrimmage periods that end every practice. He said he hasn't been frustrated at all by anything that has happened this preseason.

Now that everything has been perfect.

"He had a little bit of a setback with some additional soreness that we weren't expecting," Herman said, "but I am not ready to say that concerned is the right word. Not yet."

What continues is a strengthening of the muscles around the shoulder.

"It's just the muscles, the muscles in the back (of the shoulder), little muscles around the surgery that I wasn't using after I got out of the sling," Miller said. "Now that I'm using them on an everyday basis it just gets sore."

"He is where he is right now not because the shoulder is injured," Herman said, "but because of the fatigue of multiple practices day after day after day, 50, 60, 70 balls being thrown. The thing is going to get tired.

"The muscles aren't ready for that and so we've got to continue to build them up. Going out and throwing 30 routes for 20 minutes with the wideouts (in the summer) is a lot different than having a full 2-hour practice with your team. We just have to continue to build him up to that he can do that, muscle-wise."

Asked if he thinks he'd able to throw it 50 times against Navy if need be, Miller smiled and said,"I don't think that's going to happen, so I'm not going to comment on that."

He will comment on this. The season is coming and the Buckeyes are still taking it slow with their star.

"I knew this was going to happen, because it's not in shape," Miller said. "I was throwing full-go every other day in the summer. So right now it's practice every day. I can't throw every day and just blow it out and be sore for the next three days."

What Miller said he's missing is the chance to get out there and lead the first-team offense at every opportunity.

"They just miss my voice out there," Miller said. "They still hear me, but I'm not calling the plays. I'm still out there coaching and leading the guys. But I'm not out there taking all the reps because I'm going to be to be smart about it."

Until the soreness is gone, the questions will continue to be asked. And though the Buckeyes continue to talk about the mental reps Miller gets by watching, the Buckeyes want not just a healthy quarterback on the field for Navy, but one who has shaken off any possible rust.

"We're making the most of it – obviously we'd prefer it the other way, don't get me wrong," Herman said. "But we're certainly making the most of it."

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